The Hunger Games- Prim's Story

Chapter 8

I finally hear my full name called and I walk out of the room. My hands are shaking and I don't even know what to show them. I've gotten better at knife throwing and shooting with a bow, but even so, I'm still barely reaching average. I could climb the ropes, but Rue's probably impressed them with that already. I know she impressed me.

There's no time for deliberate though because it only takes a minute to walk through the hallway to the gymnasium. But one look at the Gamemakers tells me that they won't be paying attention to me. They've sat through twenty-two performances already and most of them have had too much wine. They won't focus on me at all, I'm one of the youngest and from the highest number district. I could walk out right now and they'd probably never notice. 

Even still, I walk towards the ropes and start climbing. I climb all the way up easily, with one eye trained on the Gamemakers. It's useless, they aren't paying attention. I try to drop down and hook my feet as Rue did, I have nothing to lose anyway. To my amazement, I don't fall. But I do look down. My heart starts beating out of my chest and I hold on tighter to the rope and take a deep breath. I make my way down the ropes smoothly. I'm almost to the end and maybe, just maybe, I can even lift myself back on top and jump down from there. Suddenly, I lose my footing and slip. I kick out my legs and try to regain my balance. I start swinging back and forth, but my hands start sweating and I can't hold onto the ropes anymore. I regretfully let go, and if it's any consolation, at least I land on my feet. 

I glance at the Gamemakers but their attention isn't on me at all. They're focused on a roast pig that an Avox has set it down on their table. I stand there quietly until someone finally realizes I'm still here. He looks down at me and waves me away as if I'm nothing but a small distraction to them. Which I guess I am. I walk away, my cheeks burning. 

Haymitch and Effie are waiting for me outside the gymnasium. Effie grabs my arm and leads me into the elevator. My cheeks are still red and I'm fighting back tears. It isn't my fault, that I know. And I never had a chance for sponsors in the first place, so the private session really didn't affect me at all, but I still feel like I've lost something I never had in the first place. As soon as I get out of the elevator I run into the penthouse and into my room. I cry myself out, drowning out the sounds of Effie knocking on my door. 

Finally, Haymitch knocks on the door and demands I come for dinner. I go into the bathroom and splash cold water onto my face. It still looks red and blotchy but I'm beyond caring by now. I quietly sit down at the table. Cinna and Portia are sitting there too, but I avoid their gaze. I don't want them to know how terrible my private session was. The adults make small talk while I silently listen. Haymitch finishes a drink and asks, "So. How bad was it?" 

I know that wasn't directed at only me, but it stings. "I couldn't tell. They were singing some sort of drinking song. I chucked some heavy objects around until they said I could go." Peeta says.

That makes me happier. They didn't pay attention to him either. Haymitch is looking at me now, expecting an answer. I take a deep breath and tell him, "They didn't pay attention to me at all. I tried to climb the ropes but then I fell off." 

Haymitch rolls his eyes, unimpressed. "They probably didn't even see." He says. I'm not sure whether this was supposed to make me feel better or worse, but it cheers me up considerably. Maybe they'll just give the higher district numbers all the same scores. 

"They shouldn't be acting like that towards you. Just because you're from a poorer district doesn't mean you should be ignored." Effie says, then takes a sip of her drink and looks away, as if she's said something really outrageous. Katniss would laugh at this. The things she says when she thinks I'm not listening would make Effie faint. I wish she was here, laughing with me, making faces at me, protecting me. 

After dinner we go into the living room to watch the scores. As usual, the Careers' scores range from eight to ten. I don't pay much attention to the other tributes, but most of them get around a five. Rue gets a seven. She probably climbed the ropes, and I bet they couldn't take their eyes off her. Peeta comes up on the screen and he scores an eight. Everyone claps and I nudge Peeta's arm. "Room for improvement isn't there?" I tease. 

"Still competing?" He laughs. "I've probably outscored you by six at least." I roll my eyes and try to stay serious, but I can't help bursting into giggles. It distracts me from the scores for a moment. Peeta nods towards the television and I dig my fingernails into my arm. The number seven flashes across the screen and I feel a smile creep up on me. Effie claps and Haymitch gives me an approving smile. A seven! That's better than I ever hoped! I might have a chance, not a big one, but a chance. I could get a few sponsors, especially if my interview goes well. I'm going to try. I'm going to die trying. I'm going to die fighting.

The next morning Effie wakes me up, pulling the curtains open and reminding me in her shrill voice that today will be a very busy day. Our last day of training with our mentors. Haymitch and Effie are tasked with getting us ready for the interviews. This is the last time the public will see us all dressed up and one of the last times to impress sponsors. 

We eat breakfast and after, Effie drags us into her room where she hands me a pair of heels. They aren't as high as hers, but they're higher than I'm used to. She also gives me a long pink dress and I go to the bathroom to change. Peeta doesn't get to wear a dress or heels so he's a natural. It's a bit harder for me, but that doesn't take away how much I still love dressing up. This seems like a cheaper dress by Capitol standards but it's still beautiful. It's difficult to wobble in the heels, but Effie's are higher and she runs around in them all day, so I know I can do it. 

She has no trouble getting us to smile. "You two are so much easier than my last two. You couldn't get a smile out them for anything." I guess we should take that as a compliment, but it doesn't seem right to those poor dead children.  Effie keeps us working for a full four hours before we take a break for lunch. She seems pleased with our progress and wishes us luck with Haymitch. 

After lunch, Haymitch takes us into the living room and starts interviewing us. He asks us questions and I try to smile and answer. He nods confidently and figures out an angle for both of us. He says I'm to act sweet and gush about the Capitol, the clothes, the food, everything. I'm pretty good sitting here, but how's it going to be on stage? In front of the whole of Panem, some right in the audience. But it's only three minutes and Caesar always tries his best to make every tribute feel and home and shine in the spotlight. I'll be fine. I think.